2. How to Select the Right Itinerary
There are a variety of factors to consider when comparing itineraries. No two itineraries are the same. For example, cruises to the Greek Islands often visit Santorini and Mykonos, but not always. Some will visit lesser known ports as well and some will include Turkey. I interview my clients thoroughly to find out what type of itinerary will suit them, and send them a few choices that match their interests. Otherwise, they would have to sort though hundreds.
I also ask my clients how many "sea days" they want, if any. A "sea day" is a day when the ship is not docked in port and you cannot go ashore. Many people love sea days for sleeping in, relaxing at the pool, visiting the spa, or just reading a book. Other people don't like to stay on the ship and want to spend as much time ashore as possible.
I talk to my clients about how much time they want to spend in port too. Some of my clients like to explore lots of places and prefer cruises that hit more than one port a day while others like to immerse themselves in destinations and would prefer being docked overnight.
3. Understanding the Pricing
Cruise lines often list prices on their websites without the taxes and fees to draw you in, so you should always find out what the actual pricing is before committing to a cruise.
I compare the bottom line prices for my clients and advise them. (I can also place a hold on cruises while my clients make their decision, which is helpful because then the price is locked. Prices are dynamic so without the hold the price can increase.)
A few of the luxury cruise lines include gratuities in your cruise fair. But, usually gratuities (sometimes called "services charges") will be automatically charged to your account unless they are prepaid. (You have the option to reverse them, but it is customary to provide the recommended amount to staff as reward for a job well done.) Sometimes there are specials for free gratuities (in other words, the cruise line pays the staff the gratuities and you don't have to) with certain cruise lines and this is a very valuable amenity. I make sure my clients know and understand whether gratuities are included or will be charged, so they are comparing the actual cost of each cruise.
Sometimes cruise lines offer special rates for certain categories of people like military, in-state resident, senior or AARP. However, these require proof and if you don't provide it in the right format and on time you might be required to pay more when you board the ship. I make sure my clients are aware of these requirements in advance.
Cruise prices can also go down after you book your cruise, although it can be hard to track this unless you are a travel advisor. I have an automated system for monitoring cruise pricing. I input all of my clients' bookings and am notified if the price of the cruise goes down after booking, so I can get my clients a refund when possible.
4. How to Get the Best Stateroom for You
There is not a "best" cabin on any ship. The best stateroom for you will depend on many factors like whether this is your first cruise, if you get sea sick, how many extra perks you want, whether you are a light sleeper, and more. I know what questions to ask you to find out which cabin is the best for you.
Sometimes certain suites come with extra perks like separate common areas on the ship, complimentary cocktail hours, priority boarding, restocked bar in room, a butler, and more. I advise my clients so they understand what they get with different cabin options.
I also understand details like which balconies have obstructed or partially obstructed views (and what that means), and how particular balcony railings can impact your view.
For families and groups, it can be a challenge to figure out how to configure your cabins and how many people to put in each. I help my clients understand the best options for everyone traveling in their groups. For example, I will advise as to whether they need connecting cabins or if adjacent will suffice (and the cost difference). I help my clients understand the difference in value between booking a suite or two cabins for a family or group.
Different cruise lines also have different rules about the minimum age required for passengers in each cabin and whether cabins need to be connecting in those situations. For example, one popular cruise line requires there to be a guest who is 25 or over in each cabin in which there is a guest who is under 21. When families are traveling together, different lines have different rules about where the parents' cabin needs to be located in relation to the kids' cabin (connected, adjacent, or a few doors down).
You should familiarize yourself with all of these details before reserving, or be sure to use an expert like me to guide you.
